Switch-rod



A. R. CLINE.

'SWlTCH ROD.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1. 1919.

1 ,303 ,1 65. Patented May 6, 1919.

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Witt/key UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT R. GLINE, 0F EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM WHARTON, J R. & COMPANY, INCORPORATED, 013 PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH-ROD.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT R. CLINE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Easton, in the county of Northampton and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Rods, of which the following is a specification.

One object of the present invention is to provide comparatively simple, inexpensive and reliable means for effecting adjustments of switch rods and their complemental lock rods, particularly those of the insulated type such as, for example, OBrien switch rods, as disclosed in Letters Patent No. 986,307 to Thomas OBrien, without disturbing the set thereof in order to adapt them to different conditions or variations in stock rails and in order to maintain the switch point or points in proper relation with the rails.

Another object is to provide for standardization of parts and to provide for ready and facile adjustments of the tongue-connecting clip.

Generally stated, the invention comprehends a clip-connecting sleeve, which houses the insulated portion of the rod and is provided with longitudinally extended radial projections or ribs of graduated depth, constituting distinct points of adjustment, so that by turning the sleeve a quarter turn or more it can be cleared more or less with respect to the rail base so as to shift the clip end to such position as will maintain the swiltch point in proper relation with the m1 The nature, characteristic features and scope of the invention will more readily be understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of switch rod mechanism embodying features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a switch rod with my improvements ap plied.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

(Fig. 4c is a view of the clip end of the r0 Referring more particularly to Fig. 2, the rod 5, is shown as insulated from the tongueconnecting clip 6, and from the rail, by the usual insulating sleeve 7 and end washers 8. Also, as usual, there are or may be metal Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 6, 1919.

Application filed February 7, 1919. Serial No. 275,615.

disks or washers 9, which, when present, constitute abutments or supports for the insulating washers 8 and also serve to take the thrust or pressure of the adjusting and lock nuts 10 and 11.

According to my invention the external sleeve or casing 12, which carries the tongueconnecting clip, is formed or provided at or near its ends with flanges 13 and 14, whereof the flange 13 constitutes a support or abutment for the tongue-connecting clip 6, the casing 12 having an axial or concentric plane face extension 15 to receive the clip. Ranging longitudinally of the casing 12, are radial projections, ribs or fins 16, whereof the number may vary, but preferably four in number diametrically disposed and of varying or graduated depth,'from the maximum which projects beyond the end wall to the minimum which stops well within the periphery. Evidently then, each quarter turn of the casing constitutes a distinct position of adjustment for the purpose of relatively clearing the rail 17 in order to fix the location vertically of the clip support 15.

In order to reduce the weight of the casting, the ribs 16 are or may be formed with grooves or channels 18, as clearly shown in Fig. 3; and the end wall or flange 13 may have peripheral notches 19 for engagement with a spanner or other implement used in turning the casing 12.

The clip 6 is a forked member with opposed lugs 20, which take over the square or nut-like extension 15. The connection between the clip and tongue 21 may be as usual and is indicated at 22.

When it is desired to adjust the parts relatively it is only necessary to back the nuts 10, 11, in order to release the clip, which is advanced longitudinally until its lugs are clear of the extension 15, whereupon the casing may be turned to the proper position of adjustment. It should be noted that the lugs 21 are wide enough apart to clear the rod 5 in case it becomes necessary to remove the clip entirely.

Since substantially the identical construction and arrangement obtains with the lock rods, no further discussion thereof is necessary.

I claim:

1. Means for efl'ecting adjustments of the character stated, comprising the combination tongue-connecting. clip.

4L. Means for; effecting-relative ad ustments with a switch rod or the like, of a tongueconnecting sleeve having radial projections or ribs ranging longitudinally thereof and constituting distinct adjusting elements.

2. Means for effecting adjustments of the character stated, comprising the combination with an insulated switch rod or the like, of a casing housingthe insulated portion of the rod and having a clip receiving, axial extension, said casing having lengthwise ranging ribs: or projections of varying; depth,.whereby the; clip'receiving extension is rendered freelyadjustable.

3. Means: for effecting, adjustments of the character stated, comprisingthe combination with aswitch IOd'iOli the like, of a sleeve'havingradiallprojections or ribs ranginglongitudinally, thereof and constituting distinct adjustingpointsand having an axially directed offset-or: extension to accommodate the of switch mechanism, comprising atubular casing, having end walls'or flanges connected by ribsor web-like extensions of graduated depth.

5. Means for housing; and effecting relative adjustments of switchmechanism, comprising; a. tubular member or casing having circular end walls or flanges connected by channeled ribs or web-like extensions of graduated depth;

6. Means for housingand effecting adj ustments of switch mechanism, comprising a tubular casing having circular end walls or flanges connected by ribs or Web-like extensions of graduated depth, whereof the'maximum extends beyond the periphery and the minimum is within the periphery of either of the end walls,

7 Means ton-housing and effecting relative adjustments of switch mechanism, co1nprisinga tubular casing having circular end walls or flanges connected by radially extendingribs or-webs of graduated depth, one of said end walls havinglan axial offset designed to receive a tongue-connecting clip.

8'. 7 Means for housing and efi'ecting relative adjustments of switch mechanism, comprising-amubular casing. having circular end walls or flanges connected by ribs orweblike extensions of graduated depth, one of said end walls having an axially directed clip-receiving? portion and the other wall having peripheral notches.

In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature.

ALBERT R. CLINE.

Copies ,otthis patent may beobtained for fivecents each, by addressingthe commissioner of Patents. Washingtoml). C. 

